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Learning Curve October 15,
2020
It is a funny thing in how the sports beat portrays the outlook for this
franchise. They first point to statistics stating based upon a 1-4 record
the outlook for this franchise looks bleak at even getting a crack at this years
up coming Super Bowl. However, they forget that real change is ever
present in this league, where the key factors to consider tend to be
overlooked. Maybe the purpose of this outlook is to get this franchises to
just give up ... which appears to be the only manly thing to do today.
Hey, during my day ... pitchers didn't cry on the mound ...
ever.
Now consider for a moment that the next three Fudgie's opponents are at Tampa
Bay, at Houston & at home versus our beloved up there on the not so frozen
tundra in Green Bay. Those knuckleheads could lose all three contests,
even with Mr. All-World-Pouty-Face at the helm. Ahhh! "Mr.
Pouty-Face" needs another flag & more downs so that he can win.
At 1-4, the Vikings & Houston are both posting historic numbers. In
other words, change a little something here & a little something there &
the "Fudge-Packs" lose all sorts of momentum. Chicago has only
had one real contest so far, in which they eecked out a 20-19 victory over the
Bucs. Well this is the black & blue division & unless I've missed
something ... there is a whole lot of sausage to grind out there ... where Mr.
Super Bowl MVP isn't playing Tom Brady & is an entirely different ball of
wax when he gets jostled around a little bit. When that happens, would
that open the door to a QB controversy. Yes, my friends ... all kinds of
things happen >>> and everything is still wide open.
Maybe the most significant change this years is in the addition of a 7th playoff
team in each conference. This alone destroys the concepts of any prior
statistical model as we all know that the purpose of those models is to make
teams pack it in early ... searching for greener pastures next year. Those
pastures include the possibility of an easier schedule (See Da'Bears) and the
chance at better draft choices. Of course, none of that matters as
compared to the incentives at the possibility of securing a bigger contract, not
to mention that NFL players only revolve around the sun a finite number of times
(Not For Long).
Another key factor that has not been included in any statistical model is the
impact of not being able to play home games in front of your own fans. How
might that stack up versus all those irrelevant statistical models.
Doesn't anyone care that this franchises most important asset ... it's fan base
... has been surgically removed ... SEVERED ... CASTRATED!!! Ouch!
MAYBE IT'S TIME TO OPEN UP THOSE 4-HUGE DOORS TO PLAY IT OUTSIDE
AGAIN.
Which leads me back into history ... you know ... the stuff we aren't talking
about that might mean something. Sure this season has been a disaster in
many ways but it was nothing like the self inflicted wounds inflicted by that
strike shortened 1987 season. A season that coalesced under the immortal
Steve Jordan. So what do we now share in common with that history?
Well after posting a 2-0 record in 87, the league dumped a week & then
introduced a bunch of scab players that posted a 0-3 record. In that same
time, Washington posted a 3-0 record during scab time to pad their playoff
position. In addition to that, the league decided to expand the number of
participants for the post season, giving this franchise the opportunity at the
worlds greatest prize. Our 8-7 record caused every playoff contest to be
played on the road. It was hilarious to watch John Madden explain what
would happen if the Vikings were to win each & every one of their contests.
In addition, we also got to play the eventual Super Bowl champions at home in
our last contest of the year giving us a preview of our goal line loss in RFK
stadium in the NFC Championship. Noting, that today, we've already played
3 of the 5 (before Buffalo lost) undefeated teams, could it be that we've
already played this years Super Bowl Champion? Wouldn't that be an
intriguing thought? Now add in this still virtually unknown character ...
Justin Jefferson ... and you might ask yourself what might he have in common
with the "playoff-unstoppable" Anthony Carter. Could there be
more to today than Justin hitting the deck ... "Anthony Carter-Like"
... to avoid contact versus the "Sea-Holes"? Are you
intrigued yet or would you rather look at all those statistical numbers
again?
Now, if we can just get "Biscuit" to walk away from all those Fat Boy
Carbs & diet drinks (which directly affect your balance) to where he
actually moves his feet with purpose ... a balanced power structure ... and
maybe we'd actually have something to protect the our "Charity
Stripe". Oh, "Biscuit" is ever so close.
Now what do you suppose is preventing "Charity Stripe" from placing
the NFL greats (Wilson, Rodgers, etc.) on the charity stripe? The answer
is nothing as his on-the-field-charity has been nothing less than stellar.
Just talking about your alarming actions doesn't feed the cat. In other
words, just recognizing that the events have been occurring is never going to
correct a thing ... especially by saying we need to work harder. All kinds
of people are out there telling us how hard they work where they in fact have
actually accomplish absolutely nothing or very little. Deal with
this:
"In general, as this teams leader, they entire world is relying upon me to
be the primary cause of this franchises failure. That is a burden that
needs to be put down as it is unhealthy to carry the negative. My clear
& present history includes turnovers at an alarming rate which as you know
goes well beyond the quarterback rating. This includes coughing up the
unprotected ball, & now includes safeties, which not only give away
priceless points but also changes both opportunities & possessions. In
short, I'm either incapable of playing in this league (which is a fallacy), or
there is something wrong with me mentally (hey, there is something wrong
mentally with everyone) or I've been "lazy-of mind" not to account for
the impact that I have on this game. It is the last item that I intend on
correcting.
So, how do I correct my failings & shortcomings? Well the first step
is to admit that my approach to this game has had it limited successes, from
time to time, but the reality is that my overall approach has been a failure in
regard to achieving this franchises goal. That is a fact. To be
direct, nothing that I've done in the past actually matters, except in my
abilities to learn from all my mistakes. My progress has been painfully
slow, even after all these many years. What is clear to me is that to
overcome all this adversity I must lead ( to be bull goose Looney), I must
remain disciplined (have control over both my body & thoughts), I must
imagine or dream (picture it in my mind) this teams success before it happens, I
must fight (spit blood), I must overcome my-lazy-ass-self, I must respect, I
must trust, & I must be both envious & desirous of absolute achievement.
It is not what I did yesterday that matters ... it only what I fashion with the
resources that tomorrow brings us.
Yes, like you ... I'm just a man. A man trying to fulfill a quest. Here's
my warning ... do not be so desirous & dependent upon my past ... unless you
interested in sifting through all my tossed out refuse."
Of all of these league wide changes, the most important factor that will settle
things is related to something that has been thrown about but is never actually
factored in. The impact of two 1-point losses to what are now undefeated
teams ... in the overall scheme of things ... cannot be quantified, but I
wouldn't rather be in any other place (Sorry Zim Zim). There
was no pre-season & there was no off season, each of which will be
"factored-in" as monumental ... in the outcome of this season.
This will reveal the true brilliance of both head coach Mike Zimmer & GM
Rick Spielman. No one can control the learning curve & no one can
predict its overall impact. Of course the "rear-view-mirror"
outlook, especially for those initially less impacted, tend to look at the
"Learning Curve" as being negative ... which is exactly
incorrect. From fear & sleepless nights of playing all that youth, has
emerged actual NFL playing experience, which is revealing ... in many cases ...
very steep levels of achievement. I love these knuckleheads. Tell
me, would you rather be a Cowboys fan ... or even an A. A. Ron, less Allen
Lazard ... as there are just something that cannot be replaced. Or would
you rather be enticed & intrigued by "The Vortex Wonnum" or the
eventual impact of the wet behind the ears Ezra Cleveland. Well at least
you no longer have to worry about Mata'afa handing A. A. Ron a new set of
unearned downs. No my friend ... things are in a very real transition ...
and I'm loving every minute of it. It doesn't matter how you start the
season ... only in how you end it.
The Viking Ghost Writer
http://MyVikingBlood.org
Date: October 15, 2020
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